Dato’ Salahuddin Ayub, Minister of Agriculture and Agro-based Industry, confirmed that his political secretary was taken into custody by the anti-graft agency on suspicion that he received a luxury watch worth RM28,000 as inducement for the award of projects to a project developer.
The arrest makes it the second time around the media cast its spotlight on a member of Amanah’s top leadership.
SUBANG JAYA: Several online news portals switched to MACC mode late last night with reports of a government official being arrested on a count of corruption.
Dato’ Salahuddin Ayub, Minister of Agriculture and Agro-based Industry, confirmed that his political secretary was taken into custody by the anti-graft agency on suspicion that he received a luxury watch worth RM28,000 as inducement for the award of projects to a project developer.
The projects in question are said to be those under the ministry’s purview, though it isn’t clear at this point in time who the project developer is or if the MACC is intent on making more arrests in the near future.
A Malay Mail Online (MMO) report quoted Salahuddin as saying he would not interfere with the investigation, adding that his political secretary was subject to the law just like any other Malaysian.
“I want to stress that I will not interfere with MACC’s probe and will let the law take its course.
“I hold firmly to the principle of lawfulness and I believe MACC will investigate this case fairly and freely,” he said.
According to the report, an MACC source revealed that the 47-year old suspect is being investigated under Section 16(a) (A) of the MACC act 2009 and is set to be charged later this morning at the Putrajaya Magistrate’s Court.
The arrest makes it the second time around the media cast its spotlight on a member of Amanah’s top leadership.
On the 6th of January 2019, police arrested Defence Minister Mohamad Sabu’s son during an anti-vice raid after the Amanah president’s son tested positive for drugs.
The case is being investigated under Section 15(1)(A) of the Dangerous Drug Act 1952 for drug abuse.
THE THIRD FORCE
